With Van Persie on the ground, Adebayor certainly appeared to make a lunging movement as he tried to regain his balance, with the Dutchman sustaining a cut to the side of his head that required treatment.

Referee Mark Clattenburg did not appear to get a clear view either given the fact he waved play on, only calling for treatment when Van Persie failed to get back to his feet.

It was anticipated the Football Association would act anyway but, if there was any doubt over their involvement, there is none now after Van Persie launched a bitter attack on the Togo forward.

"I am sad and disappointed by my former team-mate Emmanuel Adebayor's mindless and malicious stamp on me," said Van Persie.

"He set out to hurt me and I feel lucky that I have not suffered a greater injury. The contact was only centimetres from my eye.

"I knew he was aiming for a collision because he changed the angle of his body to allow contact to be made.

"He moved backwards when his natural momentum would have taken him forward. I find that deeply disrespectful."

Dutch ace Van Persie continued: "We are both professional footballers and I know that the game is physical. I, too, have made hard and sometimes mis-timed challenges but never with the intention of hurting an opponent," he continued.

"I have not received an apology from him, there were no words exchanged afterwards. He had his own agenda today and that is bad for football. It's bad for the game we all love.

"He has shown a real lack of class today, to me and the fans.

"We do not hide from the disappointment of losing the match but I need to speak out about his behaviour."